Delta State politics has taken a dramatic turn after Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege publicly slammed the door on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, asserting that the duo is unwelcome in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Omo-Agege, who was the APC’s candidate in the 2023 Delta State governorship race, made his firm stance clear during a stakeholders’ meeting in Ika South and Ika North East local government areas. The meeting, attended by key figures of the APC in the state, was meant to discuss the party’s growing influence and strategies ahead of the 2027 elections.
“We have built this party from the ground up, and we are not going to let anyone with questionable records come in and destroy what we have worked so hard for,” Omo-Agege declared, addressing the gathering of APC leaders. “Governor Oborevwori and Okowa should remain in the PDP and help rebuild their party.”
The comments come in the wake of growing speculation about potential defections to the APC by key figures in Delta State, including Oborevwori, who is currently serving as the governor, and Okowa, who was the state governor before him. Despite these rumors, Omo-Agege was resolute in his rejection of their potential defection, emphasizing that the APC in Delta is thriving without their involvement.
Omo-Agege also used the occasion to emphasize the continued rise of the APC in the state, arguing that it had solidified its position after the 2023 elections. “The narrative from the PDP, claiming that APC no longer exists in Delta, is far from the truth,” he pointed out. “In fact, this is a state where APC has won two senatorial seats, two House of Representatives seats, and several local government areas.”
He further called attention to the dominance of the APC in the Delta Central Senatorial district, where both he and Oborevwori hail from. “In Delta Central, APC won two of the three House of Representatives seats, and five out of nine House of Assembly seats. The PDP secured only four seats, and Labour Party won just one.”
Omo-Agege’s comments reflect an ongoing power struggle within the state, where political figures have aligned with different factions based on the changing tides of the political landscape. The rising momentum of the APC has led to defections from key PDP members, further fueling tensions between the two parties.
“We Are the Majority”
At the heart of Omo-Agege’s comments was the assertion that the APC, contrary to claims from the PDP, is the true majority party in Delta State. He pointed to the fact that the only remaining PDP senator in the state is reportedly preparing to join the APC, alongside several members of the House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly.
“The evidence is clear. Despite the presence of a PDP governor and a former vice-presidential candidate, APC still managed to secure 25% of the votes in Ika South and Ika North East,” Omo-Agege said, underscoring the party’s growing reach even in areas that were once seen as strongholds for the opposition.
His comments were aimed at debunking the PDP’s assertion that the APC has lost its foothold in the state, a narrative that has been widely circulated since the 2023 elections. “So, if we are not on the ground, why are we the ones gaining all these defections? Does that not show who the people truly want?” he asked, drawing applause from the crowd.
The rejection of Oborevwori and Okowa’s potential defection to the APC was also a direct response to their actions since the last election. Omo-Agege highlighted the alleged attempts by Oborevwori’s administration to diminish the strength of the APC, claiming that the governor had engaged in “false propaganda” to undermine the party’s growing influence.
Internal Party Dynamics and Reconciliation Efforts
Despite his strong stance against the two high-profile figures, Omo-Agege reassured party members that internal issues within the APC in Delta would be addressed before the 2027 elections. He acknowledged that while the party had faced some internal disagreements, these would be resolved in due course.
“We should stop focusing on our internal issues and instead take advantage of the PDP’s bigger problems. We should focus on winning the next elections and re-electing President Bola Tinubu,” he stated, urging party members to unite for the future.
Barrister Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, also echoed Omo-Agege’s sentiments, reassuring stakeholders that the national leadership of the party is committed to resolving internal issues within the Delta chapter before the 2027 elections. “The APC National Chairman and other key stakeholders are fully aware of the challenges within the Delta State chapter, and we are working towards a unified party,” Morka said.
Several APC leaders, including Fada Ibudeh, Chief Stevenson Ikpade, and Dr. Chamberlain Dunkwu, spoke at the event, underscoring the need for unity and genuine reconciliation within the party ahead of the upcoming election cycle.
The Road Ahead for Delta State Politics
As tensions mount between the APC and the PDP in Delta State, all eyes will be on the actions of Governor Oborevwori and former Governor Okowa. While they have not publicly committed to joining the APC, the political winds in the state are shifting, with more defections expected in the coming months.
For now, Omo-Agege’s bold statement has set the tone for the APC’s strategy in Delta: the party will continue to grow its influence, but it is determined to do so without the involvement of certain figures who it believes may undermine its hard-won gains.
The coming months will likely see more defections to the APC, but whether Oborevwori and Okowa will heed Omo-Agege’s call to remain in the PDP remains to be seen. The political drama in Delta is far from over, and it will be interesting to see how these developments play out as the state gears up for the 2027 elections.
“Stay united, stay strong,” Omo-Agege concluded, urging APC members to focus on consolidating the party’s power and preparing for what promises to be a fiercely contested election.
